Monday, November 30, 2009

Meet the Experts: 2009 Travel Bloggers' Caravan & Giveaway

This December, 15 top travel bloggers are banding together to spread holiday cheer to their readers. Just visit the Luxury Cruise Bible blog each morning from December 1–15 to learn about the travel expert of the day. From there, link to that expert's blog and then enter to win the prize (or prizes) of the day.

Prizes range from hotel gift certificates and overnight stays to digital cameras to camera bags to luggage to noise-cancelling headphones to travel guidebooks and DVDs.

Want to know more about the travel bloggers right now? Let me introduce...

Ellen Barone
EllenBarone.com
Travel expert Ellen Barone did what many of us only dream of doing: at the age of 35, she traded a successful academic career for the wild blue yonder and set out to explore the world and herself. In the decade since that intrepid decision, she has turned passion into profession, journeying to more than 60 countries in search of evocative images and life-enriching adventures. Founder of the travel website EllenBarone.com—a popular online portal "keeping travelers in the know and on the go"—hundreds of thousands of visitors turn to Ellen hoping to better inform their travels and their lives. Catering to individuals who enjoy a traveler’s lifestyle, the site is one-stop shopping for expert advice, vacation tips, product reviews, photo galleries and travel articles to help readers travel better, smarter, and more inspired. With an eye for the best, the authentic, the innovative and the irresistible Ellen loves little more than sharing information that will inspire readers travel now, travel smarter and travel often.

Prize: Visit EllenBarone.com on December 12, 2009 and enter to win a day pack from First Ascent, a new extreme adventure line of gear and clothing by Eddie Bauer and partners (a $79 value).




Jeanine Barone
JTheTravelAuthority.com
Jeanine Barone is a New York City-based travel writer who's written for just about every major travel magazine, from National Geographic Traveler to Travel + Leisure, as well as the Boston Globe, and other newspapers. She also blogs and is frequently asked to guest blog about her journeys. Her adventures can also be heard on various radio programs, such as KPAM in Portland, Oregon. When she's roaming the world, she's seeking out what she calls "hidden treasures," in other words authentic experiences that provide insights into the heart of the land and its people. Aside from travel, she also pens articles on food, wine, design, and architecture. Whether she's hiking through the volcanic landscape and vineyards on remote Pico Island in the Azores or mountain biking in Israel's Negev Desert, Jeanine provides her readers with vivid, intimate experiences. So much so, that many have commented that reading one of her articles or blog posts makes them want to pack their bags and head straight for the airport. Known as an ultra savvy traveler, Jeanine is frequently asked to write about her travel tips (including how to stay healthy on the road) and her packing strategies, considering she prides herself in never checking luggage, even on a 7+ week journey.

Prize: Visit JTheTravelAuthority.com on December 10, 2009 and enter to win a Mountainsmith Tour FX Camera Bag (a $99 value).




Joshua Berman
The Tranquilo Traveler
Joshua Berman is an award-winning, Spanish teacher, and trip leader who has spent most of the last decade living, traveling, and working throughout Central America. He is the author of Moon Belize, and the coauthor of Moon Nicaragua and Moon Living Abroad in Nicaragua. His articles have appeared in a range of print and online publications, including National Geographic Traveler, The Boston Globe, Yoga Journal, and Transitions Abroad. His website is joshuaberman.net.

Prize: Visit The Tranquilo Traveler on December 6, 2009 and enter to win a copy of Moon Belize, accompanied with personal travel advice from the author about your trip.




Nancy D. Brown
What a Trip
Nancy D. Brown is the Uptake.com Travel Editor, writes the What a Trip blog and is a Contra Costa Times Lamorinda Sun columnist. She is the online travel editor for Diablo magazine and writes the “Traveler Making a Difference” column for Escapes magazine. An avid equestrian, Nancy reviews horse properties at www.writinghorseback.com. She enjoys speaking on panels and specializes in adventure and luxury travel. Recent trips include hiking Switzerland, snorkeling Mexico’s Paradise Reef, and paddling with the Hawaiian Sailing Canoes. Next stop: horseback riding in Germany and Norway.

Prize: Visit What a Trip on December 9, 2009 and enter to win one of two Otterbox cell phone cases and a Baseline 20-inch carry-on expandable wide-body upright suitcase.




Linda Coffman
CruiseDiva.com
Linda Coffman is an award-winning freelance travel writer who has been dishing out cruise travel information and advice in print and on the Internet for more than a dozen years. An avid cruise passenger who enjoys sailing on ships of every size to any port worldwide, Linda spends most of her time cruising the Caribbean and writing for Fodor's Travel Publications. She is the author of Fodor's The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises, The Complete Guide to European Cruises, and contributes to six other Fodor's guidebooks. In addition, Linda created CruiseDiva.com in February 2001 to provide unbiased and practical cruising information to the thousands of Internet users who research their travel choices online. CruiseDiva.com was named a "Best of the Web" Leisure Travel web site by USA Today. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says, "The Cruise Diva's site has good information, lots of practical tips and lots of attitude." When not at sea, Linda makes her home in Georgia.

Prize: Visit CruiseDiva.com on December 11 and win a copy of Fodor's The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises and a World Grounding Adaptor Set from Magellan's Travel Supplies.




John DiScala
JohnnyJet.com
John E. DiScala (a.k.a. Johnny Jet) travels around 150,000 miles and visits over 20 countries each year. He and his website JohnnyJet.com have been featured over 1,800 times in major publications, including USA Today, Time, Fortune, and The New York Times, and he has appeared on ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, FOX News Channel, and PBS. JohnnyJet.com has been named "one of the top best money-saving web sites for travel" by Budget Travel Magazine, while the L.A. Times calls it "one of the top 10 essential travel resources on the Internet." Outside Magazine touted Johnny for having one of the world's best "dream jobs". Every week, Johnny hosts a "travel website of the week" for several radio stations around the country, he writes weekly for Frommers.com and he has written for USA Today, The Boston Herald, LAX Magazine, and Coast Magazine. Sign up today for Johnny Jet’s free weekly travel newsletter at JohnnyJet.com.

Prize: Visit JohnnyJet.com on December 8, 2009 and win Alaska and Seattle Toursaver books plus a $50 gift certificate from Magellan's Travel Supplies.




Terri Fogarty
EuropeUpClose.com
I fell in love with Europe on my first trip to Paris more than 20 years ago. Since then, my husband Bill and I have traveled all over Europe, taking trips on the average of twice a year. During this time I have also run my own Europe-focused travel agency, planning hundreds of trips to Europe for my clients, friends, and family. Europe has won me over because Europeans seem to understand what life is all about: family, friends, and food. They have a deep appreciation for history and culture and in my opinion have perfected the art of living. At EuropeUpClose.com we have more than a dozen writers who are experts on European travel, and our articles are designed to share our years of first-hand travel experience… what we learned and what we love. We know the ins and outs of successful travel; where to find the best deals, how to save money, and how to find those hidden gems that many guidebooks often seem to miss. EuropeUpClose.com is an evolving and constantly updated travel guide, offering daily tips and travel suggestions. So, if you just want to dream of Europe, or plan your European vacation with confidence that you are “in the know”, EuropeUpClose.com is your insider guide.

Prize: Visit EuropeUpClose.com on December 14, 2009 and enter to win a Fujifilm FinePix J28 10MP digital camera with 3x optical zoom.




Andrew Hickey
TheBrooklynNomad.com
Andrew Hickey is the "Brooklyn Nomad" and he is always on the lookout for a great deal to...well anywhere. In addition to his blogging duties, Andrew is the social media manager for CheapOair.com's all-new travel blog and contributor to Oyster Hotel Reviews "Locals" blog. Check him out at TheBrooklynNomad.com.

Prize: Visit TheBrooklynNomad.com on December 5, 2009 and enter to win Imagine: A Vagabond Story by Grant Lingel, plus a $50 gift certificate from Magellan's Travel Supplies.




Donna L. Hull
MyItchyTravelFeet.com
Donna L. Hull is so obsessed with travel that it makes her feet itchy when she’s not out exploring the world. At her blog, My Itchy Travel Feet, The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Travel, she writes about active travel for baby boomers, covering domestic and international destinations. Using her personal experiences and references as a travel writer, she advises boomers on where to go, what to do, where to stay, and how to prepare for an active trip. Donna recently completed an 8-part series based on a 52-day Pacific cruise for LuxuryCruiseBible.com. The Tucson-based freelance writer and photographer also writes for Uptake.com, iExplore.com, and is an "Outsider" at AdventureUs.com. Some of her print publication credits include AZ3Sixty Magazine, Oro Valley/Marana Magazine, Lovin Life After 50, Fifty Plus and Her Sports Magazine.

Prize: Visit MyItchyTravelFeet.com on December 13, 2009 and enter to win the "Library Edition" of the most recent season of "Rudy Maxa's World", including six DVDs containing 13 shows on destinations in India, Turkey, Japan, Thailand, St. Petersburg, Estonia, and Argentina.




Kristi Marcelle and Amie O'Shaughnessy
CiaoBambino.com
Ciao Bambino is a family travel resource. Written by and for parents, we publish destination travel tips, advice, and comprehensive reviews of the best accommodations for families with kids of all ages.

Prize: Visit CiaoBambino.com on December 7, 2009 and enter to win a one-night stay at the Westin Verasa in Napa, California, plus gourmet lunch for two on the Napa Valley Wine Train.




Kathy McCabe
DreamofItaly.com
Kathy McCabe is the founder, editor and publisher of the award-winning subscription travel newsletter Dream of Italy. The seven-year old newsletter has been lauded by USA Today, National Geographic Traveler, and others for its insider travel advice that can't be found elsewhere. Earlier this year, McCabe was named a top travel "tweeter" on Twitter by several publications including The Telegraph (U.K.)

Prize: Visit DreamofItaly.com on December 3, 2009 and enter to win a one-year online subscription to Dream of Italy plus a bonus DVD.




Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon
NovelDestinations.com
Joni Rendon and Shannon McKenna Schmidt are the co-authors of Novel Destinations: Literary Landmarks from Jane Austen’s Bath to Ernest Hemingway’s Key West (National Geographic Books). They blog about literary travel at www.noveldestinations.com. Joni’s work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Continental, and other publications. She currently resides in London, England and works at the Charles Dickens Museum. Shannon’s writing has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, The Miami Herald, and other publications. In April 2010, she will be leaving Hoboken, NJ, to set out in an RV and travel the U.S. and Canada for several years.

Prize: Visit NovelDestinations.com on December 4 and enter to win a Literary Travel Prize pack including a tote bag, books, note cards, tea, bookmarks, and a keychain.




Andrea M. Rotondo
LuxuryCruiseBible.com
Ship ahoy! LuxuryCruiseBible.com is devoted to helping travelers plan unique journeys aboard luxury cruise ships, river boats, and yachts throughout the world. Sail the Maldives on a catamaran, explore Burma's Irrawaddy River on a sleek purpose-built vessel, or cruise the South Pacific on an intimate yacht. Every voyage is an adventure!

Caravan Kickoff Prize: Visit the Luxury Cruise Bible blog on December 1, 2009 and enter to win a Lingo 16-Language Translator courtesy of Magellan's Travel Supplies.

Prize: Visit the Luxury Cruise Bible blog on December 2, 2009 and enter to win a $100 Marriott gift card.




Andrea M. Rotondo
LuxurySafariExperts.com
Mysterious, beautiful, majestic, fragile... the continent of Africa beckons! From the tombs of ancient kings and queen in Egypt to silverback gorillas in the mountains of Uganda to the Kalahari Desert blanketing much of Botswana, Africa offers a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. LuxurySafariExperts.com distills the options for visitors interested in seeing the sites and wildlife of Africa without sacrificing exquisite accommodations and excellent service.

Prize: Visit LuxurySafariExperts.com on December 15, 2009 and enter to win noise-cancelling headphones courtesy of Magellan's Travel Supplies.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com



Don't miss the Travel Bloggers'
Caravan & Giveaway!


Visit the Luxury Cruise Bible blog each day between December 1 and 15. Link to the Caravan's "blog of the day", post a comment on that website, and you'll be entered to win. Prizes range from hotel gift cards and overnight stays to digital cameras and noise-cancelling headphones to camera bags and luggage to guidebooks and DVDs.

Join the Travel Bloggers' Caravan & Win Cool Prizes!

Is the Lingo 16-Language Translator (available from Magellan's) on your holiday wish list? If so, read this entire post to find out how to enter to win a translator for yourself!

Happy Holidays!
Now that it's December I can tell you about a really fun project I've been putting together: the first—and, hopefully, annual—Travel Bloggers' Caravan & Giveaway.

Starting today, I invite you to follow 14 of my favorite travel bloggers for a chance to win travel-related prizes in celebration of the season.

Prizes range from digital cameras to travel guidebooks to hotel gift cards. Magellan's Travel Supplies has also signed on as a sponsor of this event and all the Caravan bloggers are thrilled to have them on board. If you've got a traveler on your holiday shopping list, check out the unique gifts available at Magellan's website.

Each day, between December 2–15, a different travel expert's blog will be featured in this round robin event. You'll have a chance to win one of over a dozen prizes by simply reading and commenting on the daily blog post.

The Caravan starts tomorrow right here! Simply visit the Luxury Cruise Bible blog each morning to learn about the featured Caravan "stop-of-the-day" between December 2 and 15, and then enter to win.

Complete Travel Caravan Schedule

December 2: LuxuryCruiseBible.com (Andrea M. Rotondo)
$100 Marriott Gift Certificate

December 3: DreamofItaly.com (Kathy McCabe)
One-year online subscription to Dream of Italy newsletter & DVD ($79 value)

December 4: NovelDestinations.com (Shannon McKenna Schmidt & Joni Rendon)
Literary Travel Prize Pack
(“I’d Rather Read Jane Austen” tote bag filled with travel and literary-themed items—a signed copy of Novel Destinations: Literary Landmarks from Jane Austen’s Bath to Ernest Hemingway’s Key West, a Bliss Tried + Blue Travel Kit, Writers’ Houses of New England note cards, Jane Austen blend tea, bookmarks from Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage and the Robert Frost Farm in New Hampshire, and a NovelKeys key chain with a quote by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
)

December 5: TheBrooklynNomad.com (Andrew Hickey)
Imagine: A Vagabond Story by Grant Lingel and $50 Magellan's Travel Supplies gift certificate

December 6: The Tranquilo Traveler (Joshua Berman)
A copy of Moon Belize, accompanied with personal travel advice from the author about your trip

December 7: CiaoBambino.com (Amie O'Shaughnessy and Kristi Marcelle)
Napa Valley Getaway
(One-night stay at the Westin Verasa in Napa, California,
plus gourmet lunch for two on the Napa Valley Wine Train)


December 8: JohnnyJet.com (John DiScala)
Alaska and Seattle Toursaver books ($198 value)
and
$50 gift certificate courtesy of Magellan's Travel Supplies


December 9: What a Trip (Nancy D. Brown)
Two Otterbox cell phone cases ($50 value each)
and
Baseline 20” Carry-On Expandable Wide-Body Upright ($369 value)


December 10: JtheTravelAuthority.com (Jeanine Barone)
Mountainsmith Tour FX Camera Bag ($99 value)

December 11: CruiseDiva.com (Linda Coffman)
Fodor's The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises

December 12: EllenBarone.com (Ellen Barone)
Day pack from First Ascent, a new extreme adventure line of gear and clothing
by Eddie Bauer and partners ($79 value)
and Exofficio gear (1 Shirt, 1 Pair of Pants and 1 Pair of ExOfficio Underwear) ($200 value)

December 13: MyItchyTravelFeet.com (Donna L. Hull)
"Library Edition" of the most recent season of "Rudy Maxa's World",
including six DVDs containing 13 shows on destinations in India, Turkey, Japan, Thailand, St. Petersburg, Estonia, and Argentina ($112 value)


December 14: EuropeUpClose.com (Terri Fogarty)
Fujifilm FinePix J28 10MP digital camera with 3x optical zoom

December 15: LuxurySafariExperts.com (Andrea M. Rotondo)
Folding noise-cancelling headphones courtesy of Magellan's Travel Supplies

If you love exploring new destinations and revisiting old favorites, you won't want to miss the Travel Bloggers' Caravan & Giveaway! You just may discover a few new favorite travel blogs to bookmark.

Win a Lingo 16-Language Translator
Help us kick off the Caravan right now! Follow @luxcruisebible and then tweet about the Travel Bloggers' Caravan between December 1 and 15. Include a link to this blog post and the #caravan hashtag and you'll be entered to win the Lingo 16-Language Translator, courtesy of Magellan's Travel Supplies. Entrants must have a U.S. mailing address. Entries must be received between December 1–15, 2009. One winner will be randomly chosen from eligible entries on December 21, 2009. Winner will be notified via Twitter DM (direct message).

Just log onto Twitter and tweet something like this: Check out the Travel Bloggers' Caravan. 15 travel bloggers and tons of cool prizes. http://bit.ly/4o2brg #caravan

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com



Don't miss the Travel Bloggers'
Caravan & Giveaway!


Visit the Luxury Cruise Bible blog each day between December 1 and 15. Link to the Caravan's "blog of the day", post a comment on that website, and you'll be entered to win. Prizes range from hotel gift cards and overnight stays to digital cameras and noise-cancelling headphones to camera bags and luggage to guidebooks and DVDs.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Glimpses of Central Province

Madhya Pradesh (MP), the center of India is a land of natural beauty along with rich heritage. The state has two hill ranges Vindhya and Satpura and several small and big rivers running across the state. These natural features have created a landscape of plateaus, river valleys, hills, and forests. (Click on all the images for bigger picture)

It has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the 9th - 10th century temples at Khajuraho, remains of the 3rd - 7th century BC Buddhist settlement at Sanchi; and cave paintings dating to 8000 BC at Bhimbetka. Apart from this There are plenty of rich cultural heritage sites. Gwalior is famous for the forts and palaces. Shivpuri is known for wild life and cenotaphs, Orchha and Datia is known for the palaces, Jabalpur well known for its natural water resource and marbles. The capital, Bhopal is a former princely state, a small city celebrated for its mosques and palaces, old-town ambiance. The hill-citadel of Mandu (near Indore) is renowned for its ruins set in greenery, especially after monsoons. Ujjain is a holy city for the Hindus. Other less known sites like Padavali, Mitavali, Suryavahi also have rich cultural heritage. The scenic sanctuaries of Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks are mostly savanna grassland terrains that have tigers and elephants as prime attractions.

The itinerary that we followed for my trip is as follows. We reached Bhopal overnight and started my trip next day early morning. During our journey we also covered Jhansi which falls in the different state and that is Utter Pradesh.

My family comprising of 4 adults and 2 kids enjoyed our experience owing to the good road network in the state. The travel and sight seeing was done by train and SUV. We had booked the accommodation and vehicle at all the places before the start of journey.

Friends, it was a pleasant experience and let me share the details with you in the subsequent posts.

From Bhopal, we traveled to Bhojpur.

Distance:
Bhopal ---> Bhojpur 28 kms

To see the World visit other participants at: That's My World Tuesday.

Friday, November 27, 2009

New 2011 SeaDream Itineraries Online Now

Last week I mentioned that SeaDream Yacht Club was unveiling some new itineraries for 2011. The schedule for January through August 2011 is now online at Seadream's website and there are some real gems!

My favorite new SeaDream itinerary is...

Amsterdam, Netherlands to Bordeaux, France
Voyage #11128 aboard SeaDream I
July 30, 2011–August 6, 2011 (7 days)
Ports: Netherlands: Amsterdam; France: Honfleur, St. Malo, Belle Ile, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux; and U.K.: Jersey, Channel Islands
Per person cruise fare starts at $4,799.


I also like the looks of this one...

Bergen, Norway to Copenhagen, Denmark
Voyage #11123 aboard SeaDream I
June 8–18, 2011 (10 days)
Ports: Norway: Bergen, Olden/Nordfjord, Geiranger, Alesund, Stavanger, Lillesand, Oslo; Sweden: Marstrand; and Denmark: Copenhagen
Per person cruise fare starts at $6,599.

For more information about SeaDream's new itineraries for 2011, talk with your travel agent or visit SeaDream's website.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of Geiranger fjord, Norway

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Saving Our Oceans & Marine Life

Each Thanksgiving, we all take stock of our lives and remind ourselves of what's important and what we're actually thankful for. I've been blessed with the necessary health, wealth, and desire to travel the world. I've fallen in love with the quiet moments when discovering a new hidden cove or beach, seeing the sun rise, or watching endangered animals fighting to retain their their little bit of Earth.

Cruise travel is a huge part of my life and it's brought me a greater understanding of our ocean and river ecosystems and marine life. This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for that and am hopeful that together, cruise passengers and cruise lines can band together to reduce their impact on our ocean ecosystems so future generations can enjoy the beauty and serenity I've already discovered.

Here are some organizations that are safeguarding our precious marine resources:

Alaska Whale Foundation
Mission: Committed to research, conservation, and public education about marine mammals in Southeast Alaska.
Membership: When you donate $25 or more, you'll receive the AWF newsletter periodically.
501(c)(3) status: Yes. The Alaska Whale Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and your donation will be U.S. tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Donate to the Alaska Whale Foundation.



Galapagos Conservancy
Mission: Dedicated exclusively to the long-term protection of the Galapagos Islands.
Membership: Donations of $25 or more entitle you to a one-year membership that includes a subscription to Galapagos News.
501(c)(3) status: Yes. The Galapagos Conservancy is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and your donation will be U.S. tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Donate to the Galapagos Conservancy.



Oceanites: The World's Antarctic Resource
Mission: To foster the conservation of the world's oceans, islands, and their wildlife, as well as a better appreciation of the sensitive connections we humans have to our watery globe.
Membership: There is no formal membership. Everyone who donates will automatically be added to the "Opus-O-Gram" e-mail list.
501(c)(3) status: Yes. Oceanites is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and your donation will be U.S. tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Donate to Oceanites.



Pacific Whale Foundation
Mission: To promote appreciation, understanding, and protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs, and our planet's oceans.
Membership: The Pacific Whale Foundation offers a variety of excellent ecotours and kids' camps in Hawaii. If you'll be booking any of those adventures, membership in the Foundation will save you money. Members receive discounts and priority boarding on all ecotours, 15% off their Ocean Store, and a free gift (T-shirt, DVD, or ecotour ticket). Membership is $35 for students and seniors, $40 for individuals, and $55 for families.
501(c)(3) status: Yes. The Pacific Whale Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and your donation will be U.S. tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Donate to the Pacific Whale Foundation.


What are your favorite organizations devoted to protecting our river and ocean ecosystems? I'd love to hear about them. Happy Thanksgiving!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Santa's Giving Out Travel Gear from December 1–15: Travel Bloggers' Caravan

Psst! I've got a secret to share. Next Tuesday, 15 top travel bloggers will put on their Santa hats and will give away prizes in celebration of the season.

Prizes range from hotel gift cards and overnight stays to digital cameras and noise-cancelling headphones to luggage and camera bags to travel guidebooks and DVDs.

Each day, between December 1–15, a different travel expert's blog will be featured in this round robin event. You'll have a chance to win one of over a dozen prizes by reading and commenting on the daily blog post.

Simply visit the Luxury Cruise Bible blog each morning to learn about the featured Caravan "stop-of-the-day" between December 1 and 15, and then enter to win.

Complete Travel Caravan Schedule

December 1: LuxuryCruiseBible.com
Lingo 16-Language Translator courtesy of Magellan's Travel Supplies

December 2: LuxuryCruiseBible.com (Andrea M. Rotondo)
$100 Marriott gift card

December 3: DreamofItaly.com (Kathy McCabe)
One-year online subscription to Dream of Italy newsletter & DVD ($79 value)

December 4: NovelDestinations.com (Shannon McKenna Schmidt & Joni Rendon)
Literary Travel Prize Pack
(A tote bag, the book Novel Destinations, travel kit, note cards, tea, bookmarks, and a keychain.)

December 5: TheBrooklynNomad.com (Andrew Hickey)
Imagine: A Vagabond Story by Grant Lingel and a $50 Magellan's Travel Supplies gift certificate

December 6: The Tranquilo Traveler (Joshua Berman)
A copy of Moon Belize, accompanied with personal travel advice from the author about your trip

December 7: CiaoBambino.com (Amie O'Shaughnessy and Kristi Marcelle)
Napa Valley Getaway
(One-night stay at the Westin Verasa in Napa, California,
plus gourmet lunch for two on the Napa Valley Wine Train)

December 8: JohnnyJet.com (John DiScala)
Alaska and Seattle Toursaver books ($198 value) and $50 Magellan's Travel Supplies gift certificate

December 9: What a Trip (Nancy D. Brown)
Two Otterbox cell phone cases ($50 value each)
and
One Briggs and Riley Baseline 20” Carry-On Expandable Wide-Body Upright ($369 value)

December 10: JtheTravelAuthority.com (Jeanine Barone)
Mountainsmith Tour FX Camera Bag ($99 value)

December 11: CruiseDiva.com (Linda Coffman)
Fodor's The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises and a World Grounding Set (courtesy of Magellan's Travel Supplies)

December 12: EllenBarone.com (Ellen Barone)
Day pack from First Ascent, a new extreme adventure line of gear and clothing by Eddie Bauer and partners ($79 value)

December 13: MyItchyTravelFeet.com (Donna L. Hull)
"Library Edition" of the most recent season of "Rudy Maxa's World",
including six DVDs containing 13 shows on destinations in India, Turkey, Japan, Thailand, St. Petersburg, Estonia, and Argentina ($112 value)

December 14: EuropeUpClose.com (Terri Fogarty)
Fujifilm FinePix J28 10MP digital camera with 3x optical zoom

December 15: LuxurySafariExperts.com (Andrea M. Rotondo)
Folding noise-cancelling headphones courtesy of Magellan's Travel Supplies

Magellan's Travel Supplies is a sponsor of this event. Check out the unique gifts available at Magellan's website for all the travelers on your holiday shopping list.


If you love exploring new destinations and revisiting old favorites, you won't want to miss the Travel Bloggers' Caravan & Giveaway! You just may discover a few new favorite travel blogs. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 1 and return to enter the first giveaway!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Silversea Releases 2011 Schedule and Opens Reservations

2011 Silversea itineraries for Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, and the new Silver Spirit are now open for booking. (Reservations for the Prince Albert II expedition ship will open in a few weeks.)

Silversea will visit 335 ports in over 100 countries in 2011. There's bound to be several voyages that speak to you.

Here's a quartet of itineraries that pique my interest:

Voyage 2103: Mahe, Seychelles to Port Louis, Mauritius
Silver Wind (14 days)
January 27, 2011–February 10, 2011

Ports: Seychelles (Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette Island); Kenya (Mombasa); Tanzania (Zanzibar); Madagascar (Nosy Komba); Reunion Island (Pointe Des Galets); Mauritius (Port Louis)

Voyage: 3104: Singapore to Hong Kong, China
Silver Shadow (9 days)
March 19–28, 2011
Ports: Singapore; Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Chan May, Ha Long Bay, Haiphong); China (Hong Kong)

Voyage 1119: London to Southampton
Silver Cloud (15 days)
July 5–20, 2011
Ports: London (Tower Bridge); Aberdeen, Scotland; Lerwick, Shetland Islands; Thorshavn, Faroe Islands, Denmark; Akureyri, Iceland; Isafjordur, Iceland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Greenock, Scotland; Dublin and Cork Ireland; Falmouth and Southampton, United Kingdom

Voyage 5135: Bridgetown, Barbados to Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Silver Spirit (9 days)
November 23–December 2, 2011 (Thanksgiving sailing)
Ports: Bridgetown, Barbados; Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Roseau, Dominica; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Gustavia, St. Barts; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; Fort Lauderdale, Florida

To learn more about Silversea's 2011 voyages, talk with your travel agent or contact Silversea and ask for a brochure: (877) 215-9986.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Monday, November 23, 2009

Video: Man Overboard from Silversea Silver Shadow Rescued



On Sunday morning, around 3 am, a passenger aboard the Silversea Silver Shadow went overboard. How or why he went overboard is still a mystery, but many media outlets including Cruise Critic and the Miami Herald are reporting that the passenger, 62-year-old Ronald Shulman, was rescued about 20 miles east of Miami by a Coast Guard helicopter at 7:45 am on Sunday. Miraculously, Mr. Shulman did not suffer any major injuries during the ordeal.

It's been reported that Shulman was traveling alone on this Caribbean voyage, so we don't yet know how Silversea knew he went overboard It appears that perhaps another passenger must have seen or heard something and wasted no time alerting the crew. In fact, it's the crew that actually spotted Mr. Shulman in the ocean and threw him a life ring to keep him afloat until the Coast Guard was able to assist.

The entire crew of Silver Shadow proved their meddle on Sunday. Silver Shadow arrived late at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and turned the ship around for her next itinerary.

Read more about this story...
Cruise Critic news story
Cruise Critic Silversea message board thread
Palm Beach Post news story #1
Miami Herald news story #1

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Hazar Rama Temple, Hampi

This 15th century shrine of Lord Rama located in the Royal Area of Hampi is popularly called "Hazara Rama Temple". Inscriptions inside the Hazara Rama temple provide evidence of the indicate the period of origin of this temple as Devaraya I erected it in the early 15th century. This is the only temple in the area with its external walls decorated with five rows of bas-reliefs. They portray the processions of elephants, horses with attendants, military contingents, and dancing girls. (click on the image for bigger view)

The name of the temple is Rama due to the large number of Ramayana panels carved in long arrays, onto the walls of this temple. Incidents in the story like Dasaratha performing a sacrifice to beget sons, the birth of Rama, his exile into the forest, the abduction of Sita and the ultimate fight between Rama and Ravana are all carved in a vivid manner. In these panels, the story of Rama and through it the triumph of good over evil is brought out.


This high wall encloses the entire complex with the main entrances set on the east. The temple consisted of a sanctum, an ardha mantapa and a pillared hall with an open porch with tall and elegant pillars. The pillar hall is notable for its unique pillars in black-stone. They are set on a raised stone platform in the middle of the hall. The other structures in this temple complex are a shrine for Devi and Utsava Mantapa.

To the south is a small doorway, which leads to the Durbar Area. It is believed that this thempe is used privately by the royal family.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Dispatch from Donna: Dazzling Thailand

This is travel writer Donna Hull's last installment of "Dispatch from Donna," a weekly update during her 52-day voyage aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner.

On the last week of our 52-day Regent Mariner cruise, Alan and I add a dazzling jewel to our cruising crown—Thailand.

The introduction begins when Mariner tenders at the resort island of Ko Samui. For me, the time in Thailand does not begin with a lustrous start. Because of my desire to ride an elephant, we’ve booked one of Mariner’s free excursions, “Elephant Riding.”

Guests are ferried by small, air-conditioned vans to a rubber plantation, elephant sanctuary, and beach stop. The tour is well run and pleasant enough, but the elephant sanctuary reminds me of a run-down circus. After riding in an ox cart, watching a cooking demonstration by our guide, attending a monkey show followed by elephants performing tricks, we finally climb aboard the Asian version of a pachyderm. He (or maybe she) plods along beside the rudimentary housing area for sanctuary workers.


The golden sand at Lipa Noi Beach, our final excursion stop, saves the day. Walking along the shore reminds me that Thailand is known for beautiful beaches. Next time, I’ll join other cruise guests for a day of leisure at Chaweng Beach or schedule one of those two-hour Thai massages.

Laem Chabang is Mariner’s port entry to Bangkok. With two nights in port (and three full days), options for exploring the area range from long, multi-hour day excursions to Bangkok, spending a couple of nights off the ship in Bangkok, or remaining on Mariner to lounge around a quiet ship after discovering the nearby sights of Pattaya.

Mariner offers a free bus transfer to Bangkok, or cruisers can choose an excursion that ends at the Shangri-La, where many passengers have previously booked an overnight stay through Regent. Alan and I made our own arrangements also at the Shangri-La, saving money in the process.

Using the “Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha” excursion as our entry into Bangkok, we once again find ourselves on a long bus ride, this time on a modern highway that gives us the opportunity to observe life in another country. Although our guide claims that Thailand has an agricultural based economy, you wouldn’t know it from the dozens of factories that are visible from the bus window. Acres of container storage facilities house row upon row of ship containers each stacked six units high.

The drive to the Grand Palace takes us through Bangkok’s China Town, known for jewelry stores selling every form of gold ornamentation. The bus negotiates narrow streets as almost every female passenger presses her face against the window glass to bask in the golden glow while making a mental note about a return-shopping trip.

Inside the Grand Palace grounds, golden-roofed buildings dazzle us. A hot sun glints off of the colored glass mosaics that seem to cover every surface of the palace structures. Some architectural elements are encrusted with semi-precious stones. It all combines into one brilliant kaleidoscope of colorful buildings.

At the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha, visitors must leave their shoes on the sidewalk below. As this is an active place of worship, no cameras are allowed and observers must either sit with their legs crossed or move quickly through the building after gazing at the Jade Buddha located on a tall platform.

When the bus drops us off at the Shangri-La Bangkok, Alan and I are surprised with an upgrade to the exclusive Krungthep wing. After a winding journey through the sprawling complex, we discover that we’re spending the night in a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking the Chao Phraya River.

After a night spent exploring on our own through the hot, steamy tents at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, we return to watch the night boat traffic from our balcony. The next day we return to Laem Chabang via Mariner’s free shuttle bus, wishing that we had booked an extra night in Bangkok for visits to the Reclining Buddha, a long boat river ride or an exploration of Thailand’s ancient capital Ayuthhaya. But our time onboard the Mariner is drawing to a close. A re-packing job waits for us at the ship.

During this 52-day journey, we’ve seen destinations that are now marked off of our “been there, done that” list. And through Mariner’s introduction to Japan, China, and Thailand, we’ve discovered countries that we’d like to explore on a deeper level.

When Mariner docks in Singapore, our cruise life will be over—for now. As Captain Felice Patruno says when ending his noon-day announcements from Mariner’s bridge, “Ciao. See you later.”
—Donna Hull for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of Donna and Alan Hull.

Luxury Cruise Bible thanks Donna for sharing her 52-day Regent
Mariner cruise with all of us! I've loved reading about her adventures and I hope you did too. Please continue to follow Donna on Twitter and visit her blog, where she discusses travel of interest to baby boomers.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Video: Four Seasons Explorer Catamaran Sails the Maldives

This past September, the 128-foot Four Seasons Explorer 11-cabin, three-deck catamaran was refurbished for three-, four-, and seven-night excursions around the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. While the vessel usually draws those interested in diving and snorkeling, even those who aren't natural water babies enjoy seeing the Maldives from this intimate ship that caters to just 22 passengers.

Accommodations are what you'd expect at any land-based Four Season resort and feature 10 staterooms and one Explorer Suite. The suite includes a king bed, a daybed, an indoor dining area, couch, writing desk, bar, DVD/CD player, telephone, and in-cabin safe. The bathroom features a full bath tub, and separate shower. Regular staterooms can be outfitted with either a king bed or two twins. Staterooms also feature a sofa, desk, DVD/CD player, bar, phone, and safe. These bathrooms have a tub/shower combo.

The catamaran promotes a casual atmosphere and shorts and sundresses are acceptable attire, even during dinner. The casual vibe doesn't skimp on service though...the entire boat is air-conditioned and you'll find an onboard masseuse and a PADI dive center with Nitrox. Laundry service is also available.

As of the first of October 2009, Four Seasons Explorer began weekly itineraries. The first part explores the northern atolls of Baa and Raa and includes a stopover at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru. The second part of the cruise expolores the southern regions, which may include Rasdhoo, North Ari, South and North Male atolls.

During the cruise, you'll enjoy water activities like diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, waterskiing, and fishing. Other activities include visits to local villages and other island excursions.

Four Seasons Explorer video footage:




Four Seasons Explorer sails until December 20, 2009 and then she goes into dry-dock. She'll be back on the water as of June 8, 2010.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa or Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons

Monday, November 16, 2009

Northern Europe & Baltic Routes New for SeaDream in 2011

For those of us who cruise often, word about any new itinerary is always cause for excitement. Last week SeaDream Yacht Club announced new routes for 2011 that will take the line to the Atlantic coast of France, Spain, and Portugal as well as to Scandanavia and the Baltics.

SeaDream I will call upon England, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Russia, Germany, France, Holland, Spain, and Portugal from May through August 2011.

Why are these routes exciting? Well, it's the first time the yacht has called upon ports like London. You'll be able to transit the Kiel Canal or visit small villages in Bordeaux, Brittany, and Hamburg.

Among new ports of call for these 2011 itineraries are:
  • Stockholm and Marstand, Sweden
  • Helsinki, Finland
  • Oslo, Stavanger, Lillesand, and Bergen Norway
  • Tallin and Kuressaare, Estonia
  • St. Petersburg, Russia
  • Hamburg, Germany
  • Amsterdam, Holland
  • Honfleur, St. Malo, Belle Ile, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux, France
  • St. Jean de Luz, Gigoni/Oviedo, Spain
  • Cascais, Portugal
If you love SeaDream and have been hoping for something a bit different, these new itineraries may hit the spot. Watch SeaDream's website. The cruise line says these trips will be bookable by this weekend, starting November 20.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact SeaDream Yacht Club.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of St. Malo, France courtesy of iStockPhoto.com

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Dispatch from Donna: Contradictory Vietnam

This is travel writer Donna Hull's seventh installment of "Dispatch from Donna," a weekly update during her 52-day voyage aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner.

As Mariner sails south along Asia’s coast, Alan and I have glimpsed orderly Japan and booming China. On our seventh week of sailing, we meet contradictory Vietnam. But it takes stamina against the heat and humidity, as well as long bus rides, to explore a country that tourism hasn’t changed much... yet.

When Mariner docks at Hong Gai, the port for Hanoi, an 11-hour excursion to Vietnam’s capital city requires a three-hour bus ride each way. But the reward is the opportunity to gaze out the bus window at farmers in coolie hats bending down to tend their rice by hand, observe small shop owners sitting on their haunches in the villages and cities that we pass, or cringe at the motorbikes and buses that overtake us on the seemingly laneless road. All the while, our guide discusses his version of life, history, and politics in Vietnam.

Negotiating heavy traffic on poor roads, the bus reaches Hanoi where streets are crowded with motorbikes, while the sidewalks are lined with people selling, sitting, socializing, and smoking. Masses of electrical lines drape from pole to pole. No high rises compete with buildings that still reflect the influence of Vietnam’s French colonial days.


Our tour includes visits to Hanoi’s cultural highlights: Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, and the one pillar pagoda. Open-mindedness is necessary as we listen to a guide who is obviously proud of his communist country. Later, we walk through the Temple of Literature where graduates’ names were etched in stone rather than on a diploma. A stop in the Old Quarter provides not nearly enough time to explore the busy market area.

It’s a dark ride on the way back to the Mariner. The bus bumps along roads that need improving. In the villages, residents gather on street corners or sit in cafes. The houses we pass are dark except for the glow of TVs.

The next day, Regent treats all passengers to an outing in Descending Dragon Bay (Halong Bay). The pleasant junk ride around the limestone pillars and islets of the bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, feels like a reward for surviving yesterday’s Hanoi excursion. Although the mist and clouds give the experience a surreal feel, they hamper photographers looking for that quintessential shot of the rocks highlighted against a bright blue sky.

At our next port of call, Chan May, passengers experience Vietnam’s ancient history with visits to Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An. Those interested in rest and relaxation choose China Beach.

At Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Mariner docks overnight, giving us two days to explore. Although it’s not that far from the port to the heart of Saigon, traffic determines how long it takes to get there. Why? You guessed it, millions of motorbikes, around four million to be exact, one for every two Saigon residents.

On our first day in Ho Chi Minh City, Alan and I choose the “Highlights of Saigon” excursion. We learn that the entire area is called Ho Chi Minh City while the city center is still referred to as Saigon. The approximately five-hour journey takes us to the Reunification Palace where we visit a war history museum located in the basement. At the History Museum, we walk through rudimentary displays before viewing a water puppet show. But the highlight of the trip is the pedicab ride to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Traffic whizzes around us. When we turn left at a traffic light, I close my eyes at the line of oncoming motorbikes.

After stopping at a lacquer ware factory (in Asia no tour is complete without an attempt to sell you something), our guide leads us on a walk through Cho Lon Market. This time we’re here to observe rather than purchase. The Chinese marketplace is filled with stalls selling anything and everything. Shop owners sit on the floor or rest under merchandise attempting to escape from the oppressive heat.

The next morning, we take the Mekong Delta tour thinking it will be a respite from busy Ho Chi Minh City. After driving through a surprisingly upscale section of South Saigon, where a Porsche dealership competes with the BMW one next door, we reach the city’s outskirts.

Are those tombstones in the rice fields? “Yes,” says our guide, “the families want to be near their ancestors.”

From here, the road is a never-ending procession of cafes, coffee shops with hammocks, and street vendors selling bread and duck. Since it’s a Saturday, the road is crowded with city dwellers traveling on overloaded motorbikes to visit their relatives in the Mekong Delta.

At My Tho, we board a sampan for a cruise on the Mekong River. A visit to Unicorn Island introduces us to coconut candy, snake wine, and pythons. After a walk through a fruit orchard, we rest under a shaded pavilion to sample fruit while local musicians entertain us. Next, the sampan transports us to another area on the river where we board longboats for a ride through narrow canals. Mangroves shelter us from sunlight and the rain of a passing thunderstorm. Then it’s a walk through the jungle to a local resort restaurant where we’re served elephant fish and other Vietnamese delicacies.


Returning to the Mariner, Alan and I sit on our balcony as the ship sails from Ho Chi Minh City, weaving through the Mekong Delta in the afternoon sun. As day turns to night, we reflect on what we’ve seen and wonder about our next port, Thailand.

—Donna Hull for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of Donna and Alan Hull.

Follow Donna on Twitter, visit her blog, and return here next week for the next "Dispatch from Donna" as she travels for 52 days aboard Regent's
Seven Seas Mariner from Vancouver to Singapore.

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